The Blue Room (1/1/08-2/4/08)

[Dale]

The Blue Room

Director
Psycho Bunny Productions

Genre
Erotic Drama

Cast
Natalie Portman – Girl
Hugh Jackman – Cab Driver
Eva Green – Au Pair
Jake Gylenhal – Student
Nicole Kidman – Married Woman
Iain Glen – Politician
Scarlett Johannson – Model
Justin Timberlake – Playwright
Actress – Angelina Jolie
Aristocrat – David Tenant



Plot
"The Blue Room", a play by David Hare, took London by storm, generating that famous quote "pure sexual Viagra" and garnering endless kudos and a Newsweek cover for its co-star Kidman.

The play "The Blue Room" is based on "Reigen", a series of vignettes written by Dr. Arthur Schnitzler in 1896 and depicts a number of characters in a continuous chain of sexual liaisons, suggesting that the meaningless physical relationships they share, as well as venereal diseases they pick up along the way, are passed along in a mechanical, dehumanizing chain. The film follows the story of 10 characters, each with unique personalities and traits and each with a sexual encounter along the way, this film is an adaption of that classic play.


Release Date
January 1, 2008

MPAA Rating
R for Nudity and heavy sexual content.

Total Budget Spent on Film
$127,000

[Dale]

“The Blue Room”
Written by David Hare
Adapted by Scott Godfrey
Directed by Scott Godfrey
Produced by Scott Godfrey and Pele Hearne

Cast:
Natalie Portman – Girl
Hugh Jackman – Cab Driver
Eva Green – Au Pair
Jake Gylenhal – Student
Nicole Kidman – Married Woman
Iain Glen – Politician
Scarlett Johannson – Model
Justin Timberlake – Playwright
Actress – Angelina Jolie
Aristocrat – David Tenant



1. The Girl and the Cab Driver/ EXT. Scrubby Street
You begin to see a GIRL, sitting on a bench, smoking a cigarette. As the stage grows around her, it becomes clear she is under a scrubby tree by the side of a street. She looks 18, like an amateur, in a short black leather skirt and shoes, but she also has an odd self-confidence. A CAB DRIVER walks past, taking no notice. She makes no reaction. The ten seconds later, he passes again, going back in the other direction. This time, the music stops and she speaks a he passes her.

Girl
What? What did you say?

Cab Driver
I didn’t say anything.

Girl
I thought you said anything.

Cab Driver
No.

Girl
What made me think you just spoke?

She puts out her cigarette.

Girl
Do you want to come home with me?

Cab Driver
Do I want to go home with you? Go home? Why would I go home with you?

She is impassive, not responding.

Cab Driver
Where is your home?

Girl
Quite near.

Cab Driver
Where?

Girl
South

Cab Driver I’m not going south.

Girl
We can take a taxi.

Cab Driver
Take a taxi? I drive a fucking taxi.

Girl
Is it yours?

Cab Driver
It’s mine.

Girl
I mean, does it belong to you?

He turns to go.

Girl
So?

Cab Driver
I haven’t got any money. I just spent the lot on sushi.

Girl
So?

The CAB DRIVER looks at her a moment.

Cab Driver
Right. I’ve heard about you. You�re new. Aren�t you?

Girl
New-ish.

Cab Driver
How long?

Girl
A week.

Cab Driver
You enjoying it?

Girl
Once or twice.

He looks at her, tempted.


Cab Driver
How far is this place of yours?

Girl
It’s ten minutes by cab.

Cab Driver
Oh look, forget it. Ten minutes? No, forget it. I have to work. I’ve made nothing tonight. And I’m not doing it in the car. It’s the first rule of driving. I never do it in the car.

Girl
Give me a kiss.

Cab Driver
Here?

She takes his hand and leads him quickly to a darker place across the street.

Girl
Now give me a kiss.

Cab Driver It’s still too far.

He looks at her. They start to walk towards the river. As they go down by riverside, it is very beautiful.

Girl What do you think? Do you think you’ll always want to drive a cab?

Cab Driver
Shall we just stick to what we’re doing?

She throws a glance at him.

Girl
What I want ... what I really need is somebody long-term. I need someone ambitious.

Cab Driver Long-term I’d make you jealous.

Girl Oh yeah?

Cab Driver
Sure.

Girl
Why?

Cab Driver
I’m irresistible. Woman can’t resist me.

Girl
Watch out. It’s dark down here. One foot wrong and you’re in the river.
Cab Driver I’d love to be in the river.

She smiles. He tries to push her up against the wall.

Girl Let’s do it on the bench. There’s one over there.

Cab Driver Let’s do it here.

Girl Watch out, or we’ll both be in the water ...

Cab Driver
Great ...

Girl
We’ll both be in the water.

They start to have sex, The Cab Driver tugs at her shirt and unbuttons it, she groans and undoes his fly, she pulls down his trousers and her underwear, they have sex. CUT to a few minutes later

Girl
It would have been better on the bench.

Cab Driver
On the bench? Off the bench. Up the fucking wall. What’s the difference? Up you get.

Girl
Hey, where you going?

Cab Driver
Back to work.

Suddenly he reaches down with unexpected tenderness and pulls her up. He smiles.

Cab Driver I told you. I’ve done no business tonight.

He begins to leave.

Girl What’s your name?

Cab Driver
Oh no, I’m not telling you my name.

Girl
My name’s Irene.

Cab Driver
Irene, well?!

Girl
What’s yours?

They both smile. He turns to go.

Girl
Hey listen ...

Cab Driver
What?

Girl
Come on.
Cab Driver
What? What are you asking?

Girl Come on. I didn’t want any money. Really. I didn’t. But, please: give me some money.

He looks at her a moment.

Cab Driver
It went on the sushi. I’m not an idiot. Irene.

He goes.

Girl
I’ll be here tomorrow.

2. The Cab Driver and the Au Pair/ INT. Neon-lit Dance Hall

At once the sound of Elvis Presley. A slow ballad is being amplified very loudly and resonantly inside a neon-lit dance hall. Suddenly a door opens. Warm colored light falls across a darkened space, and onto the CAB DRIVER and the AU PAIR as they come in on a wave of good humor into a darkened storeroom, next to a dance hall. She is young, with a foreign accent and wearing a dress which is subtly too small for her.

Cab Driver
Show me. Go on. Show me again.

Au Pair You won’t get it.

Cab Driver
I will get it. You wait. I will get it.

Move by move, she demonstrates an intricate jive maneuver. She does it beautifully. He copies, learning.
Au Pair
I do that.

Cab Driver
Uh-huh.

Au Pair
I do that. Then I do that.

He gets it. They laugh together at the neatness of it.

Cab Driver It’s great.

Au Pair
By the way, what are we doing in here?

Cab Driver
Escaping the dance.

He laughs and goes to the door.

Au Pair
Do you know my name? Can you even my name remember?
Cab Driver
Can I your name what? Tell me, then, if it’s so important.

Au Pair
Marie. And you?

Cab Driver
Fred.

Au Pair
I can’t call you Fred.

Cab Driver
Why not?

He closes the door. Pitch dark. She is wary.

Au Pair
It’s so dark. My God, look how dark it is.

Cab Driver
Girls say they’re scared, but what are they scared of?

Au Pair
The dark. They’re scared of the dark.

He lights a match and makes a big arc with it.

Cab Driver
This way my dear.

She smiles, slightly charmed, He lights a cigarette with the match, then pulls at a string above his head. A bar light bulb comes on. We are in a dusty storeroom. Cardboard boxes, not much else.

Cab Driver
Why not tonight? Just tell me, why not?

Au Pair
Because.

Cab Driver
Girls all say “because”. I don’t know what “because” means.

Au Pair
It means because.

Cab Driver
Because it’s Tuesday? Because we’ve only just met?

Au Pair
Just because.

Cab Driver
Because you don’t fancy me? It’s hardly likely, is it?

Au Pair
Why not?

Cab Driver
Well, just look at me.

Au Pair It’s so dark I can’t see you.

Cab Driver
So it can’t be that, then, can it?

She looks away, not responding.

Cab Driver
What’s the problem? I promise you, I won’t tell anyone.

Au Pair
Oh that’s great. That’s real come-on ...

Cab Driver
What’s wrong with that?

Au Pair
That makes me feel really sexy. What a great line! “I won�t tell anyone”!

Cab Driver
Well, no one’ll know.

She throws a sideways glance at him.

Cab Driver
So do you want to go back?

Au Pair
Not yet.

It’s a concession. He cheers up.

Cab Driver
Girls all say no.

Au Pair
Girls do?

Cab Driver
I mean I’m not saying ...

Au Pair
All girls say that?

Cab Driver
I’m not saying ... I’m not saying you’re just any old girl. But the way I can tell you’re a girl is because you say no.

Au Pair
What do you think the reason is?

Cab Driver I don’t know.

Au Pair
Why do you think I say no?

Cab Driver
Tell.

She looks at him a moment.

Au Pair
Because of the risk. That’s why. Why should I risk? That’s the reason. It’s not safe nowadays. I’ll only risk it if ...

Cab Driver
If what?

Au Pair
If it means something. If I’m to risk, it has to mean something.

He takes her in his arms and they kiss. But she pulls away.

Au Pair
So?

The CAB DRIVER doesn’t reply for a moment or two.

Cab Driver
It means something. I promise.

Au Pair
Does it? Does it really mean something?

They go down together on a bed of cardboard boxes, which crush beneath them. He pulls again at the light string.

Au Pair I can’t see your face.

Cab Driver What’s my face got to do with it?

Au Pair
Let me see your face.

She takes his face between her hands. She undoes her dress and pulls it off, she also pulls off his trousers, and they both pull of their underwear. She goes down on him and we see a shot of The Cab Driver’s face, it is implied that she is giving oral. He groans, she climbs back up and kisses him, he starts to move his arm, it is implied that he is fingering her. They have sex, we see a shot of Au Pair’s breasts and she groans with pleasure as they have sex. Cut to later.

Cab Driver
Well there we are.

He seems content.

Cab Driver
We can’t lie on boxes all night.

He lights a match for a cigarette, which they share.

Cab Driver
It’s worth doing, don’t you think? For the cigarette. It’s worth doing for the cigarette alone.

The AU PAIR stretches

Au Pair
Oh God.

Cab Driver
Oh God, what?

Au Pair
Tu es un animal.

Cab Driver
That’s right.

She turns and looks at him.

Au Pair
Fred ...

Cab Driver
What? What, Fred?

Au Pair
Tell me ... tell me what you feel.

Cab Driver
What I feel?

Au Pair
Yes.

Cab Driver
I’ve just showed you what I feel.

There is a pause.

Au Pair
Frederick, tell me. Put into words.

Cab Driver
You know what I feel.

Au Pair
Then kiss me.

He stops and kisses her. The sound of Elvis grows again in the distance. I’�s romantic. Then he breaks.

Cab Driver
I mean, I don’t know. Feel’s a big word.

He gets up and pulls at the light string. She is looking at him from the floor. He pulls her up to her feet. She stands, adjusting her clothing.

Cab Driver
What are we going to do? Are we going back to the dance?

Au Pair
If you like.

Cab Driver
I don’t know. I’d like to go back, but I’m sort of confused. To be honest, you’ve sort of confused me.

Au Pair
Have I? How did I do that?

Cab Driver
I don’t know. If I knew, then I wouldn’t be confused. I knew where I was, now don’t. I don’t like that. I don’t like the feeling.

Au Pair
No?

He takes a step away.

Au Pair
Well I have to go.

Cab Driver
What?

Au Pair
Yes. I have to get back. I’m treated like a servant. By the whole family. I have the cats to feed, the dogs, the humans. I’m a slave.

The CAB DRIVER frowns, lost.

Cab Driver
How are you going to get home?

Au Pair I’ll walk.

Cab Driver
You can’t walk. It’s dangerous. At this time of night. Don’t you want a lift?

She doesn’t answer. He raises his voice.

Cab Driver
I don’t get it. What am I meant to say? What do you want me to say? I’m offering you a fucking lift.

She smiles and makes to go. He follows her, better humored.

Cab Driver
And what does that mean? What does the smile mean?

She smiles at him again.

Cab Driver
I’d like a dance. Can we have one more dance, please? I mean, if we don’t, isn’t it just a bit brutal?

She looks at him.

Au Pair
Yes, Fred.

The sound of the music grows. The CAB DRIVER closes his eyes and starts moving his hips.

Cab Driver
Don’t you just love that bit? Don’t you just love it?

He points towards the lone chair in the room.

Cab Driver
Look, sit down. I’ll get us a beer. We can dance in here.

Au Pair
I don’t have long.

Cab Driver
I won’t be long.

He opens the door. The crowded room glows with color and warmth.

Cab Driver
Don’t you go now.

Au Pair
I won’t.

Cab Driver
Well don’t.
He turns uncertainly and goes into the dance hall. The AU PAIR sits alone.

[Dale]

5. The Married Woman and the Politician/ INT. Wealthy Bedroom

A wealthy bedroom. The MARRIED WOMAN is lying in a double bed, working on papers. Above her, some modern paintings. The POLITICIAN, early 40s, comes into the room, his tie is loose around his neck, and his sleeves are rolled up. He looks tired. The MARRIED WOMAN does not look up.

Married Woman
Have you stopped already?

Politician
I’m exhausted.

Married Woman
You never stop before one.

Politician
The government of the country ...

He smiles, self- satirising.

Politician
Besides, I felt lonely.

Married Woman
Oh really?

He puts his hand in front of her eyes.

Politician
Don’t read anymore. You’ll hurt your eyes.

She does not move.

Politician
For some time now, I, I’ve wanted to talk to you, Emma. To thank you, really.

Married Woman
Thank me?

Politician
Yes. I know there are times when I’m close to you, and times when I’m not. Sometimes, I just have to take one step back. I have to withdraw ...

Married Woman
Yes ...

Politician
It’s because of the work ...

Married Woman
I’m sure.

Politician
The irregular hours. The separations. But, on the other hand, there is a compensation.

Married Woman
What’s that?

Politician
These moments when we find each other again.

He sits on the bed.

Politician
I remember someone saying to me years ago: a real marriage is always moving. It’s never still. At any one moment you’re either moving closer together or moving further apart.

Married Woman
Which at the moment?

Politician
Oh, closer.

There’s a moment’s pause.

Politician
I was remembering how we started ...

Married Woman
Ah yes ...

Politician
How things were at the beginning. If we’d gone on like that, we would have both gone mad.

Married Woman
Would we?

Politician
Of course. If we’d gone on as we started in Venice ...

Married Woman
Venice!

Politician
Yes. My God!

He moves a little closer to her.

Politician
If we’d gone on like that for ...

Married Woman
Months, you mean?

Politician
Yes.

Married Woman
Instead of weeks?

Politician
Exactly. I think we’d have gone up in flames.

Married Woman
Perhaps.

He shakes his head at the narrow escape.

Politician
I don’t know. I’ve watched so many marriages conceived in bed, lived out in bed, and, let’s face it, finished off in bed, everything over in a space of a few years ...

Married Woman
Yes ...

Politician
Bed the only criterion, bed the only place of contact, bed the only thing holding things together ...

Married Woman
Yes ...

Politician
Thank God ours isn’t like that.

There’s a moment’s pause.

Married Woman
No.

Politician
You have to be friends, don’t you? Friends as well as lovers. You know what I think is important? What’s most important of all?

Married Woman
No.

Politician
A sense of humour.

Married Woman
Ah.

Politician
If you can laugh together, as we laugh together ...

Married Woman
Sure.

Politician
Then there’s a basis. Then there’s something solid. A woman you can laugh with.

Married Woman
Is that what I am?

Politician
Among other things, yes.

He looks at her fondly.

Married Woman
Are you coming to bed?

Politician
I am.

He kisses her on the forehead and then gets up. He takes three identical little mobile phones from his pockets and sets them down in a row on the sideboard, like hairbrushes. Then starts to change.

Politician
It’s quite frightening, you know, in my work. I look back. Personal liberation was such a wonderful idea, but here we are, thirty years later, and governments have to deal with the consequences ...

He takes off his shoes and socks.



Politician
Social disintegration, homelessness, cities falling apart, social services overstretched. I heard of a young woman the other day, five children by different fathers. And behaving as if somehow that’s her god-given right. And the rest of us have to care for those children!

He stands in his boxer shorts.

Politician
Oh yes, freedom’s a wonderful thing, but I sometimes think you should have to pass a test to prove you deserve it.

Married Woman
And do you deserve it?

Politician
Well I think I probably do, yes.

Married Woman
Goodness.

They both smile.

Married Woman
The funny thing is, you tell me so little about your own past ...

Politician
Me?

Married Woman
Yes.

Politician
Do I?

Married Woman
About your own freedom, I mean.

Politician
I must change.

He goes out to the bathroom.

Married Woman
It’s so strange, we’ve been together eight years and in those years have you ever talked to me about what your life was like before?

Politician (off)
Of course I have.


Married Woman
But I mean, really talked?

The POLITICIAN returns, in pyjamas.

Politician
You know all the names ...

Married Woman
Of course ...

Politician
The list. Haven’t we been through the list? Who I was close to.

Married Woman
But the kind of life. I know very little.

Politician
It’s not a life I want to think about.

He gets into his bed.

Politician
I’m so much happier now.

Married Woman
Are you?

Politician
Of course.

He shakes his head, appalled at his memories.

Politician
My God, all that confusion, all that uncertainty ...

Married Woman
Were there so many then?

Politician
You’ve asked me this before. Why does it matter?

Married Woman
It matters. I want to know. Tell me.

Politician
Does it? Does the past matter?

He pauses a moment, reluctant to go on.

Politician
Emma, you’ve lived a sheltered life ...

He smiles as if to anticipate.

Politician
Compared with me at least, let’s say compared with me, so the point is, most of us know, there’s a certain kind of woman ...

Married Woman
Is there?

Politician
Of course. You know what I’m saying. In their hearts everyone knows there are two kinds of women ...

Married Woman
Two?

Politician
Only you’re not meant to say so. And I am someone who spent many years of my life-too many perhaps-with that first kind of woman.

Married Woman
And what kind of woman is that?

Politician
Oh come on, do I really need to spell it out?

The MARRIED WOMAN just looks at him, not answering. He’s provoked.

Politician
The kind of woman you just sleep with.

The MARRIED WOMAN makes no reaction.

Politician
Well, look ...

Married Woman
I see ...

Politician
It’s fine when you’re young ...

Married Woman
Of course ...


Politician
When you’re young, it’s natural. It’s part of growing up. But it’s not ... look, it’s not a life. It’s not a life like we have. With children.

Married Woman
I want more children.

Politician
Well, good.

She waits a moment.

Married Woman
What’s happened to the women?

Politician
Why?

Married Woman
Are you still in touch?

Politician
Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous. Do you think now that I’m married ... do you think I wouldn’t have told you?

Married Woman
Well ...

Politician
I tell you everything.

He looks her straight in the eye.

Married Woman
Did you sleep with married women?

Politician
What?

Married Woman
Did you sleep with married women?

Politician
Emma, I never broke up a marriage.

Married Woman
Ah ...

Politician
Now that is something quite other. I’m sorry but that is something quite different.

She looks at him a moment.

Married Woman
You think so?

Politician
Of course. It’s a basic principle. Everyone has the right to follow their own ... wotdyumcallems, their own needs, their own desires, but they have no right to destroy other people’s happiness. Isn’t that right?

Married Woman
I don’t know.

The POLITICIAN is frowning.

Politician
You don’t sound sure.

Married Woman
No.

Politician
Is that because you have friends who do it? Do some of your friends sleep with married men?

Married Woman
I think so.

Politician
And what do they feel?

Married Woman
I don’t know.

Politician
How do they defend it?

She shrugs slightly.

Married Woman
I don’t think they have to defend it.

Politician
How do they live with all the lying, the deceit? The sheer level of organization. Being where you shouldn’t be, at times that don’t fit! The danger, the strain. And for what? Just that one extra moment of happiness. That one short moment of bliss.


Married Woman
Hmm.

There’s a pause.

Married Woman
Are you sure you never did it yourself? Tell me.

The POLITICIAN hesitates.

Politician
Look, if I tell you, you won’t take it badly?

Married Woman
Go on.

Politician
A woman I knew when I was young.

There’s a silence.

Married Woman
She was married.

Politician
Yes.

Married Woman
How long did you know her?

Politician
Long enough.

Married Woman
I see.

Politician
Some months.

Married Woman
Did you love her very much?

Politician
Yes. If a man can love a liar.

There’s another silence.

Married Woman
And where is she now?

Politician
Oh ...

Married Woman
No, tell me.

Politician
Do you want me to tell you?

Married Woman
Yes.

Politician
She died.

He is thoughtful now,

Politician
Not happily. Unhappily. In unhappy circumstances. She died in a godawful mess of drink and obsession. Which is, to be honest, what I knew would happen. There was something tragic in her. Something not right. And that is what appealed. That is why ... I fell so hard.

She is watching him.

Married Woman
What was her name?

Politician
Estelle.

They both think a moment.

Politician
But I have only known real love once. And that is with you.

He reaches and takes her in his arms.

Politician
Let me kiss you.

They kiss.

Married Woman
Charlie ...

Politician
I feel so safe in your arms, so happy.

Married Woman
Do you?

Politician
If only we’d met when I was younger. I would never have needed to know anyone else. You’re a beautiful woman, you hear me? Beautiful ...

They have sex, he feels her breasts and stomach, she runs her fingers over his body and kisses his chest, they both groan. They turn over and it is implied that they engage in anal intercourse, she groans loudly.
CUT
They are laying in bed together

Married Woman
You know what I’m thinking of?

Politician
No.

Married Woman
Of Venice.

Politician
Ah yes.

Married Woman
Of our first night together.

Politician
Yes

There is a pause.

Politician
What is it? Tell me.

Married Woman
If all our nights could be like that. If you could always love me like that.

Politician
Yes.

There is a pause.

Politician
What’s wonderful about marriage: that there will be time for everything. I mean, not everyone has Venice, even as a memory.

Married Woman
No.

They lie, both awake.

Politician
Goodnight, my darling.

Married Woman
Goodnight.

6. The Politician and the Model/INT. Hotel Room

A room in the Metropole. It is a desperately fashionable minimalist hotel, pared away to essential surfaces of marble and glass: a high-class knocking shop. The POLITICIAN is sitting back with a cigar contentedly on the sofa, having finished a lavish dinner. With him is the MODEL. She looks about 22, in a micro-skirt and skinny jumper. She is spooning at a chocolate ice- cream in a pretentiously large glass and dancing happily to the rock video on the television. The POLITICIAN watches her.

Politician
How is it?

Model
It’s great.

Politician
Can I get you another? You’ve champagne left. Here.

He pours her another glass. She drinks it straight down.

Politician
And now I’d like a kiss.

She kisses him on the sofa, then turns back to her dancing.

Model
You must think I’m a slut.

Politician
Why?

Model
Coming straight to the hotel.

Politician
I don’t think you’re slut.

He tries to pull her towards him.

Model
Hey!

Politician
That wasn’t the first time I’d seen you.

Model
I guessed that.

Politician
We could have gone for a walk first. If that would have made things more respectable.

Model
Had you been following me?

Politician
I’m not telling you anything.

Model
Plenty of men do.

Politician
I’m sure.

Model
I never speak to any of them.

Politician
No? You spoke to me.

Model
And are you complaining?

He kisses her violently.

Politician
You taste of pudding.

Model
I just have sweet lips.

Politician
Really? Have men told you that before?

Model
Some.

Politician
How many?

Model
I’m not saying.

Politician
I want to know. It’s important. I want to know.

Model
Guess.

Politician
Fifty?

She breaks away.

Model
Fifty? Why don’t you just make it five hundred? Fifty!

Politician
I’m sorry. It was a guess.

Model
Guess again.

Politician
Five.

Model
I am twenty two, you know. I’m not total innocent.

She dances on. The POLITICIAN frowns slightly.

Politician
You are desperately thin, my dear.

Model
If you’re a model, you have to look awful. That’s the job.

Politician
I can’t believe you’ve got that quite right.

Model
You have to look sort of awful but sort of beautiful as well.

Politician
It’s a balance, you mean?

Model
Beautiful underneath.

Politician
What does your boyfriend think? You must have a boyfriend. An attractive girl like you.

Model
Why are you asking? Why do you want to know?

The POLITICIAN hesitates, phrasing it carefully.

Politician
It’s simple. I find myself ... powerfully attracted to you.

She looks at him a moment, then gets some coke out of her handbag.

Model
Do you want some?

Politician
No thank you.

She empties it onto a little mirror. The POLITICIAN looks a little nervous.

Politician
Who was he then?

Model
Who?

Politician
Your last boyfriend.

Model
Are you still on that?

She looks at him for a moment from preparing her coke.

Model
He looked like you. As it happens.

Politician
Really?

Model
Yes. Very like you, in fact.

She goes back to her preparations.

Politician
If you say so.

Model
You talk like him, too “If you say so.” And you have the same way of looking.

Politician
What way is that?


Model
The way you’re looking now.

She looks up at him again.

Model
Don’t. Don’t look at me like that.

He moves across and takes her in his arms, kissing her passionately. It’s suddenly electric. Then she breaks free.

Model
I’m going to go after this.

Politician
Why?

Model
Because I’ve got to get home, obviously. What will my mom say?

Politician
You still live with your mother?

Model
We came over together. There’s five of us.

Politician
What does your mother say when you don’t come home?

Model
She’s out most nights herself. I’m the one who’s working.

Politician
Ah well then ...

Model
I’ve got sisters still at school.

Politician
And how old are they?

Model
There’s one who’s thirteen. I caught her out on a date the other day. I couldn’t believe it. The little slut!

Politician
What did you do?

Model
I beat the shit out of her when she got home.

She sniffs a line of coke.

Model
That’s what I’m saying. If I don’t give them some discipline, who does?

She snorts a second line.

Politician
The strange thing is, you remind me of someone, too.

Model
Do I?

She sits back, luxuriating, closing her eyes.

Model
Who do I remind you of?

Politician
Someone I knew when I was young.

She is quiet. Her eyes are still closed.

Model
You haven’t told me your name.

Politician
Charles.

Model (laughs)
Are you really called Charles?

Politician
Why? Was that his name as well?

There is a silence.

Politician
You still haven’t told me who he was.

Model
He was a cunt. He was a cunt, or why else would he have left me?

Politician
You were in love?

She is silent.

Politician
I thought your eyes were green, but they’re blue really.

Model
And isn’t blue good enough for you?

He takes this as a cue. He moves to kiss her. But before he can she holds out her hands, which is full of pills.

Model
Here. Take one of these.

Politician
Which one?

Model
A white one.

He pops one in his mouth.

Model
Two.

He takes both. Then, to amuse her, takes another at random.

Politician
Anything you say.

They kiss.

Politician
When did you meet this man?

Model
I can’t remember. I can’t remember anything. The room’s going round.

Politician
Hold on to me. Hold on tight.

Her eyes are closed. He slips to the floor, putting his head between her legs.

Politician
How is that? Is that good?

Model
I don’t know what you’re doing.

She leans back.

Model
God knows where it came from. It was the usual guy. He’d got it from some other guy and he said. And he said. And he said. He said he’d got it from another guy ...

They start to have very violent sex, he pumps harder and harder on her and she screams, it gets more violent and they start to hit each other, she groans and screams.
CUT
About two hours later

Model
Why are you so far away? Why don’t you come here?

He turns and looks at her. He is plainly disturbed.

Model
Jesus, where did I get that stuff?

Politician
Good question.

Model
I would never have done it ...

Politician
Ah that’s very flattering, I must say. It was the drugs, was it?

Suddenly the MODEL protests with a real, shocking vehemence.

Model
I don’t do this! I don’t fucking do this! I don’t sleep with men I don’t know.

Politician
Of course you don’t. I know you don’t. I can see that.

Model
It’s not me. It’s not what I do.

Politician
Well that’s good. I mean, that’s good from all points of view.

He shifts, uncomfortable.

Politician
That’s what I was asking earlier, why I wanted to know. Who else ...

Model
Oh God, are you still going on about that?

Politician
I’m just asking.

Model
What for?

There’s a pause.

Model
What have I done? Have I done something wrong?

Politician
No. On the contrary. In fact ... I was hoping I might see you again.

Model
Oh yes?

Politician
Maybe not here. Maybe in some sort of place I might find for you.

She looks at him a moment.

Model
You’re married, aren’t you?

Politician
What makes you say that?

Model
That’s just how it looks.

Politician
Would it bother you if I were?

Model
What do you do?

Politician
I’m a politician. I help run the country.

Model
Uh-huh.

Her gaze doesn’t waver.

Politician
Would it worry you? If it turned out you’d been with a married man?

Model
Why should it worry me?

Politician
That you’d helped him cheat on his wife.

Model
Well, I’m sure she cheats on you.

The POLITICIAN laughs.

Politician
Hardly.

Model
What makes you so sure?

Politician
I really don’t think it’s very likely.

Model
Don’t you? If she’s anything like the woman I know, then ...

Politician
You know nothing. You know fuck nothing! You know absolutely nothing at all!

He has suddenly shouted at her. He gets up, very disturbed.

Model
I thought you said you weren’t married.

Politician
Whether I’m married or not, you plainly know nothing about ... about another kind of world to your own.

There’s a silence while he recovers.

Model
I didn’t know you were married. I was just talking, all right? I was just talking.

Politician
My fault. I’m unused to the pills.

He goes over and sits beside her on the sofa.

Politician
Listen, I need to see you again.

Model
Do you?

Politician
Of course. But for me, it’s not easy. If we come to an arrangement. I have to say, in the nature of things I can’t be watching you.

Model
I don’t suppose you can.

Politician
I can’t be checking up all the time.

He looks at her a moment.

Politician
I’m not talking about the moral side of things. That doesn’t bother me. And, for myself, I shall have to be careful, meaning discreet. The press in this country is a scandal. It’s completely out of control. But beyond that what I’m talking about is something else.

There’s a pause.

Politician
The world as it now is. As it has become. I’ll be frank. I’m talking about hygiene.

She looks at him in silence.

Politician
That’s not unreasonable.

Model
Ah.

Politician
I can get us a place. It could even be a place where you lived. If you wanted to live by yourself.

He smiles.

Politician
Next time we’ll be somewhere else.

Model
Maybe.

Politician
Where we can’t be disturbed.

Model
Maybe.

He looks at her from across the room.

Politician
Kelly, I’m offering you a life of your own. Independence.

She doesn’t reply.

Politician
Isn’t that what women want?

[Dale]

7. The Model and the Playwright/INT. Studio

A studio in a bohemian part of town, self-consciously artistic, full of books and CDs. A large, modern writing desk is covered with papers and scripts. There is a piano at the back of the room. The curtains are drawn and the room is in half dark. The PLAYWRIGHT opens the door, letting the MODEL in behind him. He is in his late 20s, rather intense. She is tottering on high heels, and a little bit the worse for wear.

Playwright
How is it?

Model
It’s beautiful. But I can’t see a thing.

Playwright
Your eyes’ll get used to it. Your beautiful eyes.

He kisses them in the darkness.

Model
Hmm. My beautiful eyes won’t have time to get used to it. I’m off in a mo.

He ignores this remark.

Playwright
Let’s have candles shall we? There was a power cut a few years ago, and afterwards I thought: why go back to electricity? Everything is cast in a magical light.

He has lit a candelabra and now looks around, pleased with the effect. He gestures towards the sofa.

Playwright
Sit down over there. Sleep if you want to.

Model
I’m not tired. Are you going to play the song?

Playwright
Well I am. It’s a song of my own.

Model
Of your own? I thought you were a journalist.

Playwright
My God! What made you think that?

She has taken her coat off and slumped onto the sofa. He has sat down at the piano stool, displeased.

Model
You said ...

Playwright
Jesus!

Model
At the party you said you were a writer. Aren’t journalists writers?

Playwright
Hardly. I mean, generically, perhaps. Like rats are animals.

She nods at his desk with its swish computer.

Model
Is that what computer’s for?

Playwright
Oh yes, but I never use it. To me the feel of the pen on the paper is all-important.

Model
Huh.

She waits a moment.

Model
You said you were going to play me this song you’d written.

Playwright
Did I say I’d written it?

Model
Yeah, you did actually.

Playwright
Did I write it? No. I helped write it, that’s more accurate. Does it matter? No. Ultimately, is authorship important? Come on, the works exists. It’s the work we should value, not the writer.

He smiles contentedly.

Playwright
How is it? Is it comfortable there?

Model
Aren’t you going to play the song?

Playwright
I am. It’s called The Blue Room.

He sits down at the piano.

Playwright (sung)
Blue, like blue like blue is how I’m feeling
Blew like how the wind blew all night long
And blew aside your cotton dress revealing
This, the opening of the opening of a song

You like how you seemed at our first meeting
But are people ever truly what they seem?
For soon I felt that subtle, slight retreating
That marks the ending of the ending of a dream

I’m in the blue room
I’m in the blue
The dream was just a dream
It wasn’t you

Hitch a passage to the moon on some Apollo
Get out and take a look at what you find
The earth looks kind of circular and hollow
And blue’s the shade you’ll see you’ve left behind

I’m in the blue room
I’m in the blue
The dream was just a dream
It wasn’t you

Tell me why this lonely feeling hits me
That the person who I wanted wasn’t you
And let me say, if politesse permits me,
I’m left with nothing save the colour blue

At the end the MODEL applauds, delighted.

Model
It’s great.

Playwright
Thank you.

Model
I mean, it really is great.

She frowns slightly.

Model
What sort of writer are you?

Playwright
Do you really not know who I am?

Model
No.

Playwright
This is wonderful.

Model
Why?

Playwright
I mean, I love the idea. Are you serious?

Model
Of course.

Playwright
Do you mean ... you really don’t recognize me, do you?

Model
No.

Playwright
Very Good.

He thinks about it a moment, pleased.

Playwright
What sort of writer am I? Yes, well, this is a very good question. This is something people have argued about. The work’s not easy to put in a box.

Model
Ah.

Playwright
The work’s won prizes.

Model
The work has?

Playwright
Well, I mean, I have.

She frowns again.

Model
Do you have any drugs?

Playwright
Drugs? I’ve run out. I write about them, of course. They’re one of my defining subjects. But at the moment, no.

Model
My bra hurts.

Playwright
Take off your bra. Take anything off. It won�t bother me.

Model
Thanks.

She slips her bra off from under her jumper as he goes on talking.

Playwright
Inevitably, I get labelled, as if I’m part of a movement. They call me a post romantic. I know. It’s just a shallow name the press dreamt up.

He thinks a moment.

Playwright
Restlessness. Longing, These things don’t go away just because of what we call progress. We still search. We still pursue the ideal. We land. We cast off. With luck, we make waves. But finally we have no control of the tide.

He is lost in thought. He turns.

Playwright
What did I say?

Model
What?

Playwright
What did I just say?

Model
Something about restlessness. Longing.

Playwright
That’s right. What else?

Model “No control of the tide”

He has reached for a scrap of paper on the table and is making a note.

Playwright
“... of the tide.” Good.

He puts his notebook aside.

Playwright
Do you want something to drink?

Model
I’d prefer something to eat. I’m starving. People think modelling just swanning up and down.

Playwright
That’s interesting. Where do you live?

Model
I’ve got an apartment. Near the centre.

Playwright
The centre? Really?

Model
Someone ... someone found it for me.

He is very close. The candelabra on the piano throws their faces into shadow,

Playwright
You’re blushing. It’s dark. But I can tell you’re blushing.

He puts his hand up to her cheek. She does not resist.

Playwright
Tell me more about yourself. Everything about you interests me. Have you ever been in love?

He stops her before she answers.

Playwright
Don’t tell me. Let me guess.

She says nothing.

Playwright
And you miss him, don’t you?

She is beginning to cry.

Playwright
Oh I love it, I love it. Say something else. I’ll take you away, I promise. Have you been to India?

Model
No

Playwright
Let’s go. We’ll go to the Rajasthan. There are forts, can you imagine? Built over the cities. I’ll put you on the battlements, and we’ll fuck each other’s brains out.

He goes to collect the candelabra.

Model
I wish I understood you. I wish I knew what you were saying.

Playwright
That I want to be with you. That I can’t get enough of you. That everything about you ... your beautiful little jumper ...

He puts the candelabra on the floor beside the sofa and starts kissing her breasts through the material.

Playwright
Your naive untutored little skin ... and the thought of the paper-thin, onionskin, fragile yellow papyrus of your underwear ...

Model
What?

Playwright
I’m known for my enormous vocabulary. My capacious vocabulary! The egregious, rapacious, dithyrambic immensity of my individual lexicon ...

He suddenly raises his voice.

Playwright
Big words! My work is throbbing with big words! Trouser-bulging with polysyllables!

He reaches down and starts blowing out the candles.

Playwright
We’ll go. We’ll go together to Jaipur.

Model
Where?

Playwright
I worship you. I fucking worship you.

He reaches down and blows out the last candle. They start to have sex, it is delicate and beautiful, she kisses him and rubs her hands up his body, he kisses her chest and sucks on her nipples, they hold on to each other as they make beautiful love.
CUT
Later.

Playwright
That was wonderful.

Model
Oh Robert ...

Playwright
And only now shall I tell you my name.

There is a pause.

Playwright
I’m Robert Phethean.

Model
Phethean?

Playwright
Yes. I knew you’d guessed. I could tell.

Model
I hadn’t guessed. Really. I’ve never heard of you.

Playwright
Are you serious? Do you never go to the theatre?

Model
My aunt took me to The Phantom of the Opera.

Playwright
I said the theatre.

Model
I, I’ve never been asked.

Playwright
Well I shall ask you.

Model
Great. But only like funny things.

Playwright
Do you mean comedy?

Model
Or scary things.

Playwright
Why’s that? Have you never been to a proper play? A serious play?

Model
What’s the point?

Playwright
Not even if it were by me?

He gets up in the darkness from the sofa.

Playwright
I want to see you. I haven’t seen you since we made love.

He strikes a match to light a candle. She lies naked, unembarrassed.

Model
Give me the cover.

Playwright
In a moment.

He pulls back the cover from her naked body and stands over her, candle in hand.

Playwright
You are so beautiful. You’ve got what I’ve been looking for. Total natural naked innocence.

Model
Ow! The wax is dripping. That bloody well hurts.

Playwright
I’m sorry.

She covers herself up again. He laughs, still naked.

Playwright
You really didn’t know I was Robert Phethean?

Model
I told you, I’ve never heard of you.

Playwright
Ah fame, fame!

He shakes his head in ironic sadness.

Playwright
Fine, forget I’m a writer. Honestly. I’ll be a shop assistant. I’ll be a venture capitalist, if you like.

Model
I’m totally fucked. What are you talking about?

Playwright
Our future.

Model
What future?

Playwright
Let’s just go, don’t you think so? Do you have a few weeks?

Model
Of course not.

Playwright
Go and live in the woods. In the depth of the forest. It’s what I’ve always wanted. Get away from all this. And then one day ... just look each other in the eye and say good-bye.

Model
Good-bye? Why? Why say good-bye?

Playwright
Because you’re too much for me.

He takes her once more in his arms, wrapped in the cover.

Model
I’m cold. Hold me.

He kisses her and looks at her kindly.


Playwright
It’s time you got dressed.

He gathers up her clothes, and he starts to dress her.

Playwright
Tell me, would you call yourself happy?

Model
Now?

Playwright
In general.

Model
I’m not unhappy.

Playwright
I’m not asking about your circumstances or even the men in your life. What I’m asking is: do you feel alive? Do you feel you’re really living?

Model
You don’t have a comb, do you?

Playwright
I do.

He picks one up from the table and moves across to give it to her.

Playwright
You look astonishing.

Model
Thank you.

They are both still a moment, then she combs her hair.

Playwright
It’s not nine yet. Why don’t we eat?

Model
It’ll have to be quick.

Playwright
I’ll get you a ticket for my play.

Model
Do.

Playwright
It’s sold out, of course. But I can get you one.

She finishes combing, then turns towards him in the candlelight.

Model
I’m ready.

Playwright
I’m looking at you and I’m thinking: if it could be like this. If it could always be like this.

She looks down, overwhelmed. He holds out an arm towards the door.

Playwright
After you.

8. The Playwright and the Actress/INT. Rustic Hotel Room

A room in a country hotel, in rustic style. There is a large, old-fashioned bed at the centre of the room, and the dark walls are dimly seen to be hung with pictures. The room is dominated by a large window, which is open. A huge net curtain billows and blows. At once the PLAYWRIGHT comes in carrying the ACTRESS’s luggage. She is magnificent, in her mid 30s and splendidly assured. He puts the bag down and clicks vainly at the light switch.

Playwright
Oh I don’t believe it. The light doesn’t work. Never mind. Look! There’s a moon ...

The ACTRESS has gone to the open window and dropped to her knees in front of the moon. The PLAYWRIGHT closes the door.

Playwright
What’s wrong?

The Actress doesn’t reply. The Playwright goes over and joins her.

Playwright
What on earth are you doing?

Actress
What do you think I’m doing? I’m praying.

Playwright
I had no idea.

Actress
I’m not a bloody heathen like you.

Playwright
Goodness.

Actress
Come and kneel beside me, infidel. It’ll do you good.

He kneels and puts his arm around her.

Actress
Oh sex, sex, sex ...

She gets up.

Actress
And who do you think I was praying to?

Playwright
Well, to God, I imagine.

Actress That’s just where you’re wrong. I was praying to you.

Playwright
Then why were you looking out of the window?

Actress
What on earth are we doing? Where have you dragged me off to, you blatant seducer?

Playwright
It was your idea. The country! You kept saying.

Actress
Well, wasn’t I right?

Playwright
Of course. It’s beautiful. Only an hour out of town and it’s as if we’re in paradise.

Actress
It’s bliss. You could write wonderful things here if you had any talent.

He frowns, swallowing this insult as she goes and sits on the edge of the bed.

Playwright
Have you been here before?

Actress
Been here? I lived here.

Playwright
Really. Who with?

Actress
With Fritz. With the magical Fritz. I adored him.

Playwright
Yes, so you said.

Actress
Oh I’m sorry. Please, if I’m boring you, I’ll go somewhere else.

Playwright
How could you bore me? I’ve never been less bored by anyone in my life. As long as you don’t talk about Fritz. Let’s make a rule. No Fritz.

Actress
Well. Fritz was an episode.

Playwright
I’m glad you can see that.

She looks at him a moment.

Actress
Come over and kiss me.

They kiss.

Playwright
You’re going to laugh when I say this but I find in you a kind of total natural naked innocence. I mean it.

Actress
You do talk more bollocks per square meter than any man I’ve ever met. And now goodnight.

Playwright
What do you mean?

Actress
I’m off to bed. Can I have my bag, please?

Playwright
Here. Here it is.

She takes out a small Madonna and puts it on the bedside table.

Playwright
And who’s that?

Actress
It’s Our Lady. She goes everywhere with me.

She smiles at him unkindly.

Actress
And now thank you, Robert. Goodnight.

Playwright
Goodnight?

Actress
I’ve booked another room for you.

Playwright
Another room? What do you mean “another room”?

Actress
Another room! This is like your dialogue. Everything repeated. “Another room?” Yes. I’ve booked another room.

Playwright
What for?

Actress
To sleep in.

Playwright
What is this?

Actress
What is it? It’s me wanting to change.

Playwright
Change? Is this modesty? For God’s sake you were in that play ...

Actress
Don’t talk about it!

Playwright
You were stark naked for an hour and a half. I personally saw the play three times.

Actress
That’s different. It’s easier on stage.

She goes behind a screen.


Playwright
Perhaps I’ll go for a walk. That always inspires me. I get all my best ideas at night. And knowing you’re close, knowing my inspiration is near ...

Actress
You do talk like a prick.

Playwright
Most women would say I talked ... like a poet.

Actress
Yes, well.

The ACTRESS has got into bed with a teddy bear.

Actress
Now you can sit on the side of the bed and tell us a story.

Playwright
What sort of story do you want?

Actress
Like ... who you’re being unfaithful to right now?

Playwright
I’m not being unfaithful. Right now.

Actress
I don’t see why not. I am.

Playwright
Well that doesn’t surprise me.

Actress
And who do you think is the lucky man?

Playwright
I haven’t the slightest idea.

Actress
Guess.

Playwright
In the way of things, I suppose inevitably your producer.

Actress
What do you think I am? Some sort of chorus girl?


Playwright
Sorry.

Actress
Guess again.

Playwright
I don’t know. The leading man. Benno.

Actress
Benno? Do you know nothing? Benno lives with a postman.

Playwright
It’s not possible.

Actress
He’s the most married man I’ve ever met.

She smiles.

Actress
Can I make a suggestion? Robert, just get into bed.

Playwright
That’s what I wanted.

Actress
And just get on with it.

Playwright
Well, that’s what I’ve been saying!

He is undressing quickly.

Playwright
Listen!

Actress
What?

Playwright
The crickets are chirping.

Actress
Don’t be ridiculous. There are no crickets around here.

Playwright
But you can hear them!

Actress
Are we going to listen to nonexistent crickets all night?

He gets into bed with her.

Actress
Now just lie still.

Playwright
What are you doing?

Actress
Can I ask you something? Are you thinking of having an affair with me?

Playwright
What on earth makes you think that?

Actress
A lot of men want an affair with me.

Playwright
Yes, but right now, I’m in pole position.

Actress
Come on then, cricket. From now on, I shall call you cricket.

Playwright
Cricket’s good by me.

She takes him in her arms.

Actress
Talk to me. Tell me, come on, who do you think I’m betraying?

Playwright
It’s pretty good bet you’re betraying me for a start.

Actress (laughs)
You’re nuts.

Playwright
Somewhere perhaps there’s a man you haven’t met. A man who waits and is perfect.

Actress
Cricket, you do talk bollocks.




Playwright
But if you met him, then you’d stop searching. And if you stopped searching ... well, if you stopped searching, then you wouldn’t be you ...

They start to have rough sex, he is violent, she doesn’t cower, she bites his nipples, he groans in pleasure she pushes him again the wall and climbs into his arms. He carries her as the make love, she screams, he feels her breasts and it is then implied that they are engaging in anal, we see a shot of the ACTRESS’s face and she screams. She pushes him on the bed and stands above him totally naked, he stares and groans in pleasure, she jumps for him and they continue to fuck.
CUT
Afterwards. The pair are exhausted, the look at each other for a minute and both examine each other’s naked bodies. The ACTRESS is staring intently at the Playwright’s penis. They begin to have sex again, which is pretty much the same as before.
CUT
Later, it is visibly later and the clock says 11:30 PM

Actress
Well you have to admit that’s a lot better than acting in damn stupid plays.

Playwright
In my view, you act in rather good plays.

Actress
Meaning, yours?

Playwright
Well ...

But she interrupts him, suddenly sincere.

Actress
I agree. Since you mention it. It is a great play.

Playwright
Thank you.

Actress
You write brilliant plays.

Playwright
Thank you.

There is a slight pause.

Actress
God sees what we do. I shall confess you tomorrow.

He looks at her a moment, puzzled.


Playwright
By the way, why did you skip that performance on Thursday? The doctor said you were fine.

Actress
I did it to annoy you.

Playwright
Annoy me? Why?

Actress
Because you’re conceited.

Playwright
Me?

Actress
You have no idea how everyone at the theatre hates you.

Playwright
They hate me?

Actress
Of course! Behind your back. They all say you’re conceited. I’m the only person who defends you. I tell them you’ve got much to be conceited about.

Playwright
And what do they say to that?

Actress
What do they say? What do they say? Who cares what the little people say?

Playwright
Well ...

Actress
You know what the theatre’s like. A low drizzle of persistent complaint.

The PLAYWRIGHT frowns, unhappy.

Playwright
When you were saying ... when you were saying about being a Catholic ...

Actress
Don’t even speak of it. You can never understand.

She nods.

Actress
Yes. Wild in the dark, and then the guilt.

Playwright
Even in love? Even when it’s love?

Actress
How often is it love?

Playwright
Fritz, I suppose.

Actress
Fritz was special. You, you’re a whim.

She smiles, ignoring his hurt.

Actress
Still suffering from the chirping are you?

Playwright
Nonstop. Can’t you hear it?

Actress
What you can hear is frogs, darling.

Playwright
Balls. Frogs croak.

Actress
Well of course they croak.

Playwright
And that is not croaking, it’s chirping.

Actress
You are so fucking pigheaded. Give me a kiss, frog.

They kiss,

Actress
Happy now, frog?

She laughs.

Actress
Anyway, you’ve said nothing about my performance.

Playwright
When I heard you’d been off, I just assumed you’d be a bit creaky when you got back. So I didn’t bother.

Actress
Creaky? I was brilliant!

Playwright
Brilliant?

Actress
People had to be carried out of the theatre.

Playwright
You saw them, did you? They had stretchers, did they?

Actress
Benno said to me: “You act like an angel.”

Playwright
Gosh! And fully recovered in twenty-four hours.

Actress
You know nothing. The real reason I skipped the show was because I missed you so much!

Playwright
I thought you did it to annoy me.

Actress
You’re so fucking shallow, do you know that? I had a temperature of 105. All because of you.

Playwright
105? That’s quiet high temperature for a whim.

Actress
A whim? I’m dying of love for you, and all you can call it is a whim.

The PLAYWRIGHT smiles and takes her in his arms.

Playwright
Are you acting? Just tell me, are you acting?

Actress
Guess.

[Dale]

9. The Actress and the Aristocrat/INT. Dressing Room

The stage of the theatre, the ACTRSS receives a standing ovation. The ACTRESS is dressed for a performance of a play by Schnitzler. She lifts her arms to thank her public, the curtain comes down, and she turns towards us. Her dressing room is full of flowers. There is a period chaise lounge at one side of the room, and a table with some Chinese takeout on it. She goes out to the bathroom to start removing her costume. There is a nervous knock on the door and the ARISTOCRAT comes in, thin and exquisite, in his early 30s. The ACTRESS returns.

Actress
Good Lord ...

Aristocrat
I’m sorry ...

Actress
It’s you.

Aristocrat
The stage door-keeper suggested ...

Actress
Please come in.

Aristocrat
It never occurred to me ...

Actress
Well I am.

Aristocrat
That you wouldn’t have changed.

Actress
Sit down.

He goes to perch nervously on the chaise lounge.

Aristocrat
You acted ...

Actress
Thank you.

Aristocrat
Like an angel.

Actress
It was something of a triumph, it seems.

Aristocrat
Something? The audience was transported.

Actress
Thank you for your flowers.

She nods at the single huge bouquet of flowers.

Actress
There they are.

Aristocrat
Rather a small contribution, I’m afraid. You seen to be virtually buried by admirers.

She looks at him a moment, then picks up all the flowers that are not his. She goes to the dressing room door, opens it, and throws them onto the floor in the corridor outside. She closes the door. Only his single vase of flowers remains.

Actress
There. That’s better isn’t it?

She reaches for his hand impulsively and puts it to her lips.

Actress
Don’t worry. It commits you to nothing.

He smiles.

Aristocrat
People warned me you were completely unpredictable. Some people say, an enigma.

Actress
I’m certainly more of an enigma than your little Bridget Cluny.

Aristocrat
Well there’s very little mystery in Bridget.

He quickly corrects himself.

Aristocrat
Not that she’s someone I know all that well.

Actress
No?

Aristocrat
Do you know I had never seen you act until tonight?

Actress
Incredible.

Aristocrat
The theatre’s a big problem for me. Parking! And then eating so late.

Actress
Why not eat before?

Aristocrat
Yes. I’ve considered that. I don’t like restaurants much at the best of times.

Actress
What do you like?

Aristocrat
It’s a good question.

Actress
You seem to me something of a young fuddy-duddy.

She goes out to the bathroom.

Aristocrat
Perhaps I just think too hard about things.

Actress (off)
Oh there’s no point in thinking.

Aristocrat
You’re right. There is no point. People are people when it comes to it. I used to spend all my time thinking because I was bored. I was farming the family estate. Though at least in the country there are horses.

She returns. She is wrapping herself in a big dressing grown, letting him glimpse her whalebone corset.


Aristocrat
My God, why am I being so uninteresting?

Actress
No, you’re fascinating.

He smiles at her.

Aristocrat
What about you? Are you fond of people?

Actress
People? Lord, no. I can’t stand them.

Aristocrat
That’s what I thought.

Actress
I’m alone all the time. I’m virtually a recluse.

Aristocrat
Of course.

Actress
I see no one. No one!

She has sat down at her dressing room table and is taking off her wig.

Aristocrat
But you’re famous ... everywhere you go you’re praised ...

Actress
Praise? You think praise brings happiness? Please!

Aristocrat
I didn’t say happiness. That doesn’t exist. Surely, isn’t that what this play’s saying.

Actress
The play!

Aristocrat
As I watched, I thought yes, this is true. This play says something true. When you fall in love, the feeling is there. It’s real. It seems so real. Then, strange thing. It’s gone.

Actress
Malcolm, you go to the very heart of things.

He shakes his head, thoughtfully.
Aristocrat
And so it scarcely matters, does it? whether you’re as comfortable as I am, or mouse poor. If you live in the town or in Timbuktu. For example ...I’ve lost my umbrella. Oh thank you ... now where was I?

Actress
Timbuktu.

Aristocrat
Oh yes, I’m rambling. But my life is a search.

Actress
A search?

Aristocrat
Yes. For a love which stays real.

She looks at him a moment.

Actress
What are Miss Cluny’s views on the subject?

Aristocrat
What is this with Bridget?

Actress
She is your girlfriend after all.

Aristocrat
Is she?

Actress
It says in the papers.

Aristocrat
Perhaps somebody should have told me.

Actress
Oh Malcolm, come here!

The ACTRESS laughs and pulls him towards her. She starts stroking his hair.

Actress
I knew you were here tonight.

Aristocrat
You knew? How?

Actress
I spotted you.

Aristocrat
What? From the stage?

Actress
My whole performance was directed at you.

Aristocrat
At me?

Actress
Didn’t you feel it? That diffidence of yours, your self-effacement ...

Aristocrat
I had no idea.

Actress
It drives women nuts. And now kiss me at least ...

He leans across and kisses her.

Actress
You are such a fake. Think how jealous every other man in the audience would be ...

Aristocrat
I know ...

Actress
Every night I feel them out there, pulsing, vibrating, like a physical force, all longing to rise up out of their seats, leap up on stage, and have me on the boards ...

Aristocrat
Shall I tell you the truth? I’m frightened.

He stops, in agony.

Aristocrat
Let me explain. We’ve been frank with one another. I’ve reached a point in my life. I want things to be right. I want things to be perfect. The beginning has to be right. If I’m honest, what is not to do it right now.

He pauses.

Aristocrat
And to be truthful, I find love not in a bed rather distasteful.

He hastens to explain.

Aristocrat
With most-as it were-woman, what does it matter? But with someone like you it’s important. Because we will always remember the first time. So ... please ...

Actress
God, how adorable you are!

Aristocrat
Let me tell you ...

Actress
How sweet!

Aristocrat
What I propose ...

Actress
What do you propose?

Aristocrat
Tomorrow, I collect you, we drive off, we book a hotel, somewhere out of town ...

Actress
I am not Bridget Cluny!

Aristocrat
I didn’t say you were. I am saying: listen, romance is important. Mood is important.

She has got up and locked the dressing room door. She turns off the lights.

Aristocrat
First, establish an atmosphere. And then ...

Actress
Yes? Then?

Aristocrat
Go on from there.

Actress
Sit closer. Come closer.

Aristocrat
There’s a scent. What is it? A scent from the chaise lounge. Frangipani?

Actress
It’s so hot in here, don’t you think?

The ARISTOCRAT leans down and kisses her throat.

Aristocrat
Yes, it’s hot.

Actress
And dark, also, don’t you think? Dark as night.

She draws him closer.

Actress
Oh Malcolm, are you sure? Is this the right start?


They start to have sex, however it is not rough like with the Playwright, they are delicate and they both kiss as they make delicate love. They both groan, but it is more from love and feeling than from sexual pleasure.
CUT
The light returns. He is fully dressed, sitting at the little table using chopsticks on her cold CHINESE takeout. She is lying back where we last saw her. They both look happy.

Actress
So?

Aristocrat
Well?

There is a silence. He eats.

Actress
What was that about mood?

Aristocrat
Hmm ...

Actress
I thought mood was meant to be important. I thought not-in-a-bed was beneath you.

Aristocrat
You’re a bitch.

Actress
Thank you.

Aristocrat
Not a bitch. A goddess.

Actress
And I think you were born to be an actor. Truly. You understand women completely.

He stops eating a moment.

Aristocrat
Do you think any of us is ever just one person? Don’t you think we all change, all the time? With one person we’re one person, and with another we’re another.

Actress
You think so?

Aristocrat
I do. I’m quite a different person when I’m mucking out.

He looks at her, then resumes eating.

Actress
Do you know what I’m going to do now?

Aristocrat
Do what?

Actress
I’m going to tell you that I never want to see you ever again.

Aristocrat
What are you saying?

Actress
I’m out of my league. You’re much too dangerous for me. You sit there as if nothing has happened. May I remind you: you’ve just fucked me.

Aristocrat (smiles)
Can I ever forget it?

Actress
And tomorrow?

Aristocrat
What tomorrow?

Actress
Are you ...

Aristocrat
What, see you?

Actress
Going to see me?

Suddenly he raises his voice, provoked by the inevitability of it all.

Aristocrat
What do we do? Tell me what we should do!


Actress
What do you mean?

Aristocrat
Don’t we see already how this will unfold?

Actress
No!

Aristocrat
Don’t we say “Oh yes! This is the moment when this!” and “Oh Lord! Here we go, here comes the moment when that!” Aren’t we all stuck? Aren’t we on a track? Aren’t we welded to a track we can never get off? Don’t we know already?

Actress
Even if you were right, what’s that? A reason for not doing anything? What are you saying? Nothing’s worth doing because nothing ends well?

He smiles, conceding.

Actress
Philosophy? Thank you. I get it from a book.

Aristocrat
Books teach us nothing.

Actress
Well then there you are!

Aristocrat
Nothing!

Actress
You’re right. Everything ends badly, because everyone dies! It’s built the story. Nobody escapes. So until then, what? This way, at least we’re alive. We’re alive! Meet me tomorrow. Learn. It’s the only way of learning.

They look at each other, in silence.

Aristocrat
I’ll come to the theatre. I’ve stayed long enough. You have to act tomorrow.

Actress
Not just tomorrow. Not just me.

There is a silence. He goes to the door.


Aristocrat
Au revoir.

Actress
Adieu, Timbuktu.

10. The Aristocrat and the Girl/Shabby Apartment Bedroom

At once the wail of a saxophone. Night streets, neon and alcohol. Dawn is breaking in a room above a sex shop in the center of the town. Outside it is raining, and a red sign advertising the shop is seen through a thin film of curtain. Inside the room, the GIRL is asleep in a bed, her clothes thrown down all around, the ARISTOCRAT is lying, fully dressed. Beside him there is a near-empty bottle of tequila. After a moment the GIRL stirs, looks around, then goes back to sleep. A few moments later, the ARISTOCRAT awakes obviously hungover and mystified by what he sees. He plainly has no memory of how he got here.

Aristocrat
Oh God, never again! I swore, never again! What did I do? Drink the whole day?

He gets up, painfully. He rolls some words out to reassure himself he can speak.

Aristocrat
Amnesia. A medical term ... for forgetting. Synaesthesia. A medical term ... a medical term for experiencing sensation in a part of the body other than the one directly stimulated.

He smiles, pleased at his success.

Aristocrat
The whole joke of life: you feel one thing but it comes out as another. Proust tastes the madeleine, but he sees the village.

He suddenly calls out in what seems like genuine despair.

Aristocrat
How do we change? How do we change who we are?

The GIRL opens her eyes at the noise of his questions.

Aristocrat
Good morning.

Girl
Hi, baby!

Aristocrat
Did you sleep well?

Girl
Mmm.

He moves towards her. A shaft of sunlight is falling on her face.

Aristocrat
I was just off.

She takes her hand out from under the blanket. She is tousled, warm. He shakes it, holding on a moment.

Aristocrat
As if she were divine!

Girl
What are you staring at?

Aristocrat
Oh, the way the light is falling. The way you woke.

He looks at her a moment.

Aristocrat
How old are you?

Girl
Twenty in December.

Aristocrat
And how long ...

Girl
A year.

Aristocrat
A year.

He takes out his wallet and removes a generous number of notes.

Aristocrat
I must go.

She turns over to go back to sleep. He stops. Her face is turned towards him, the sun stronger now, as on a mask.

Aristocrat
May I ask you a favour? Please. Please don’t say a word.

He leans down and kisses her eyes.

Aristocrat
God, if you weren’t ... who you are, you could make your fortune.



Girl
Yeah, that’s what Fred says.

Aristocrat
Fred? Who’s Fred?

Girl
Just a friend.

Aristocrat
Oh yes? What does he do?

Girl
He drives a cab.

Aristocrat
I see. How did you meet him?

Girl
Oh. By the river. A year ago.

Aristocrat
You mean when you started?

She does not answer.

Aristocrat
Are you close?

Girl
He wants me to marry him.

Aristocrat
That’s nice. And what have you said?

Girl
I’ll only marry him if he lets me do something else.

Aristocrat
And will he? Will Fred let you do something else?

She does not answer. He makes to go.

Aristocrat
Perhaps we’ll meet again.

The GIRL’s eyes remain closed.


Girl
Just ask for Irene.

Aristocrat
Irene. Fair enough.

He stops once more at the door.

Aristocrat
Still, it’s something, eh? I’ve spent the whole night with her and all I’ve done is kiss her eyes. That’s something.

He smiles, pleased with himself.

Aristocrat
Irene, does this happen a lot?

Girl
What?

Aristocrat
That men leave you. That they just leave you?

Girl
Sure. Every day.

Aristocrat
No, I mean without ... without ...

Girl
No. Never!

Aristocrat
It doesn’t mean I don’t like you.

Girl
I know that. You liked me well enough last night.

The ARISTOCRAT frowns.

Aristocrat
I like you now.

Girl
Yes, but you liked me better last night.

The light is growing at the window, circling her with yellow.

Girl
Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.
Aristocrat
Yes. No.

Girl
Then afterwards you fell asleep.

Aristocrat
Yes. I do that. That’s what I did, then.

There is a silence. She is quite still and her tone is kind.

Girl
God, you must have been drunk, baby.

Aristocrat
Yes.

The GIRL turns over to go to sleep. He stands at the door.

Aristocrat
Well ... it would have been romantic if I’d just kissed her eyes. That would have been romantic. It would have been ... pure. But there we are. It wasn’t to be. On we go.

In the distance, the day is starting. The town is coming to life, and the saxophone is beginning to play again. The GIRL stands up and sleepily drags her bed across the room. They look at one another for a moment.

Aristocrat
Goodnight.

Girl
Good morning.

Aristocrat
Yes of course. Good morning. Good morning.

The music grows louder. He stands, not moving. Then he turns decisively and goes. The Girl is left watching him leave. He closes the door behind him, and we see a final shot of the door closing

The End
Over the credits, the song “In the Blue Room” sung by Justin Timberlake is played










Directed by
Scott Godfrey

Based on a play by
David Hare

Screenplay by
Scott Godfrey

Produced by
Scott Godfrey

Executive Producer
Pele Hearne

Natalie Portman

Hugh Jackman

Eva Green

Jake Gylennhall

Nicole Kidman

Iain Glen

Scarlett Johannson

Justin Timberlake

Angelina Jolie

David Tenant

Original Music by
Alexandre Desplat

“In The Blue Room” written and performed by
Justin Timberlake

Costumes and Make Up
Catherine Roberts

Cinematography
Pele Hearne

Copyright PSYCHO BUNNY PRODUCTION 2007

[Dale]

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